In the latest report by the Federal Investigative Bureau there were 7,993,630 property crimes across the United States in 2015, so it is only natural that home security continues to be an ongoing concern. Outside of the benefit of additional protection, did you know implementing certain home security features could save you money? You could save up to 20% in home insurance discounts for appliances you may already have installed. See below for some smart ways to save on home insurance.

Add a Deadbolt to Your Door
One of the most simple and effective ways to secure your home is by adding a deadbolt to your main doorways. Kits from your local hardware store start as low as $12 and can be installed yourself within a day. At that price there is no excuse not to have deadbolt.

Now that you have a deadbolt… Be sure to use it! As they say, your door is only as strong as your lock, so take the extra 15 seconds to properly lock up when leaving your house unattended or before bed. The few extra seconds is worth the peace of mind, but also the five percent in home insurance discounts you can expect depending on your provider.

Implement a Hardwired Fire Alarm
Next, fire alarms. A survey by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports 97% of homes have fire alarms installed, but the real question is… When was the last time you tested your smoke detector?

Look into implementing a hardwired fire alarm. NFPA also found hardwired smoke detectors operated correctly 94% of the time, whereas their battery powered counterpart operating correctly 80% of the time. As a homeowner, you would want to be notified of a fire 100% of the time. Hardwired fire alarms reduces faulty instances as they are integrated to your house’s electrical system. Implementing a hardwired fire alarm or even a fire extinguisher can save you money, be sure to check with your insurance company.

Verified Security Systems
A full-feature security system provides the highest level security for your home. However, not all systems are alike and with that comes added benefits and cost savings. Many of the traditional alarm systems found at your big box stores rely on motion detection and do not relay to a central monitoring center. These passive systems equate to a lag time before action is taken. Alternatively, a verified security system has operators listening in as a break-in occurs. These services reduce police response times, increases reliability, and decreases false alarms. Insurance providers acknowledge the added benefit of having a monitored system and therefore provide premium discounts for implementing a verified security system. You can expect anywhere from a five to ten percent discount in homeowner’s insurance.

With a few easy steps you can protect your home, ease your peace of mind, and keep some money in your pocket.